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The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023While medications for anxiety and depression are commonly used in the United States, it is unclear to what degree they are continued during pregnancy. We used a large...
While medications for anxiety and depression are commonly used in the United States, it is unclear to what degree they are continued during pregnancy. We used a large administrative database to determine whether psychiatric medications are continued during pregnancy and predictors of continued medication treatment. Of 2,672,656 women included in our analysis, 86,454 (3.1%) filled a pre-pregnancy prescription for an anxiolytic or antidepressant medication within 3 months of estimated conception. Of women who filled a pre-pregnancy prescription, 49.4%, 26.1%, and 20.1% filled subsequent prescriptions in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. Discontinuation rates ranged by pharmaceutical agent, from 16% for fluoxetine to 71% for alprazolam. White women and women over 25 were more likely to continue anxiolytic and antidepressant treatment during pregnancy. Because untreated and under-treated mental health conditions are linked to adverse maternal outcomes, high discontinuation rates may have important implications for maternal health.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; United States; Depression; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Fluoxetine; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 36710395
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2171288 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Sep 2023Except for a few preventative Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, there is currently no cure for HPV infection. There are a number of cutting-edge strategies and potent... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Except for a few preventative Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, there is currently no cure for HPV infection. There are a number of cutting-edge strategies and potent medications or herbal formulations that can be applied topically for early clearance of HPV infection before HPV DNA gets integrated into host cell genome. This is facilitated due to cervical cancer having distinct and well-recognized long precancerous stages.
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to outline every possible medication and formulation, both natural and synthetic, that can be applied topically as intravaginal application to help remove HPV infection at an early precancerous stage.
RESULTS
Several anti-HPV/HPV clearance compounds and formulations for high-grade lesions are undergoing clinical trials. However, the majority of compounds are still in the early stages of development and require additional research to become viable HPV clearance candidates. Synthetic drugs may be more promising because they may have a more targeted effect; however, they may also have significant adverse effects. On the other hand, natural medications are safer to use. They are less specific, but have minimal to no adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS
This article may serve as a valuable resource of information for managing and preventing precancerous carcinogenic HPV infections. Research could be directed toward developing candidate drugs to make evidence-based decisions about advancing them to clinical trials and, eventually, to the market for potential use in the prevention and control of cervical cancer, which is almost always preventable or even curable if detected early.
Topics: Female; Humans; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Infections; Synthetic Drugs; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Precancerous Conditions; Papillomaviridae
PubMed: 37535995
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.06.016 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Dec 2023Primary cancer modulates the bone microenvironment to sow the seeds of dormancy and metastasis in tumor cells, leading to multiple organ metastasis and death. In this...
Primary cancer modulates the bone microenvironment to sow the seeds of dormancy and metastasis in tumor cells, leading to multiple organ metastasis and death. In this study, 3D printing and bone-on-a-chip (BOC) are combined to develop a BOC platform that mimics the pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) and facilitates elucidation of the interactions between bone-resident cells and metastatic tumor cells under the influence of primary cancer. Photocrosslinkable gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is used as a 3D culturing hydrogel to encapsulate cells, and circulate tumor culture medium (CM) adjacent to the hydrogel to verify the critical role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoclasts (RAW264.7s). Three niches: the dormancy niche, the perivascular niche, and the "vicious cycle" niche, are devised to recapitulate bone metastasis in one chip with high cell viability and excellent nutrient exchange. With respect to tumor dormancy and reactivation, the invadopodia formation of A549 lung cancer cells in communication with MSCs and RAW264.7 via the cortactin pathway is researched. As a proof of concept, the functionality and practicality of the platform are demonstrated by analyzing the invadopodia formation and the influence of various cells, and the establishment of the dynamic niches paves the way to understanding PMN formation and related drug discovery.
Topics: Humans; Microfluidics; Bone Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Hydrogels; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37605335
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207606 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews Dec 2023Silica nanoparticles (SNP) have gained tremendous attention in the recent decades. They have been used in many different biomedical fields including diagnosis,... (Review)
Review
Silica nanoparticles (SNP) have gained tremendous attention in the recent decades. They have been used in many different biomedical fields including diagnosis, biosensing and drug delivery. Medical uses of SNP for anti-cancer, anti-microbial and theranostic applications are especially prominent due to their exceptional performance to deliver many different small molecules and recently biologics (mRNA, siRNA, antigens, antibodies, proteins, and peptides) at targeted sites. The physical and chemical properties of SNP such as large specific surface area, tuneable particle size and porosity, excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility make them an ideal drug delivery and diagnostic platform. Based on the available data and the pre-clinical performance of SNP, recent interest has driven these innovative materials towards clinical application with many of the formulations already in Phase I and Phase II trials. Herein, the progress of SNP in biomedical field is reviewed, and their safety aspects are analysed. Importantly, we critically evaluate the key structural characteristics of SNP to overcome different biological barriers including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), skin, tumour barrier and mucosal barrier. Future directions, potential pathways, and target areas towards rapid clinical translation of SNP are also recommended.
Topics: Humans; Drug Carriers; Silicon Dioxide; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Porosity
PubMed: 37844843
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115115 -
Progress in Brain Research 2024Humankind demonstrates boundless curiosity, mostly expressed through the activities of a small number of individuals, whose achievements affect all members of society.... (Review)
Review
Humankind demonstrates boundless curiosity, mostly expressed through the activities of a small number of individuals, whose achievements affect all members of society. The extent and distribution of pre-historic trepanation and trepanation in contemporary unsophisticated societies are reviewed. In the great majority of cases the intention of trepanation has been therapeutic, even if the understanding of underlying pathophysiology is not the same as that which scientific societies now accept. This review demonstrates variation in surgical technique. In the Atlas Mountains it was unacceptable to operate on the cranial sutures whereas in New Ireland it was not important. Pain relief was unnecessary in Melanesia because the patients were largely unconscious following injury. In South America, there was access to the coca leaf which could help with pain relief. In East Africa, one patient described the application of a powder to his wound which was thought to be for pain relief. The nature of the powder remains unknown. There were differences in the indications for trepanation. In New Britain, the operation was performed only for cases of fracture. In nearby New Ireland, epilepsy and certain forms of mental disturbance were also indications. In North and East Africa, the indication was most frequently headache following trauma. Most of these trepanations did not involve drilling, which is the main subject of this book.
Topics: Humans; Powders; Skull; Books; Cocaine; Pain
PubMed: 38609292
DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2024.02.003 -
PloS One 2023This crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated differences in short-term entero-endocrine response to a mixed-meal tolerance test preceded by nutrient... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The entero-endocrine response following a mixed-meal tolerance test with a non-nutritive pre-load in participants with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: A crossover randomized controlled trial proof of concept study.
INTRODUCTION
This crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated differences in short-term entero-endocrine response to a mixed-meal tolerance test preceded by nutrient sensing between participants with pre-diabetes (pre-T2D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Additionally, differences in gut and oral microbiome composition between participants with a high and low entero-endocrine response were investigated.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Ten participants with pre-T2D and ten with T2D underwent three test days with pre-loads consisting of either swallowing water (control), or rinsing with a non-nutritive sweetener solution, or swallowing the sweetener solution before a mixed-meal tolerance test. Blood glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon, glucose, insulin and peptide YY (PYY) were determined at t = -20, 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes. The composition of the oral and gut microbiome at baseline were also determined.
RESULTS
The entero-endocrine response differed by pre-loads, e.g. a lower PYY response after swallowing the non-nutritive sweetener (-3585.2pg/mL [95% CI: -6440.6; -729.8]; p = 0.01). But it also differed by T2D status, e.g. a higher glucose, glucagon and PYY response was found in participants with T2D, compared to those with pre-T2D. Evidence for associations between the oral and gut microbiome composition and the entero-endocrine response was limited. Still, the level of entero-endocrine response was associated with several oral microbiome measures. Higher oral anterior α-diversity was associated with a lower PYY response (e.g. Inverse Simpson index -1357pg/mL [95% CI -2378; -336; 1.24]), and higher oral posterior α-diversitywith a higher GIP response (e.g. Inverse Simpson index 6773pg/mL [95% CI 132; 13414]) in models adjusted for sex, age and T2D status.
CONCLUSIONS
Non-nutritive pre-loads influence the entero-endocrine response to a mixed-meal, and this effect varies based on (pre-)T2D status. The entero-endocrine response is likely not associated with the gut microbiome, and there is limited evidence for association with the α-diversity of the oral microbiome composition.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Trial register: Netherlands Trial Register NTR7212, accessible through International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: ICTRP Search Portal (who.int).
Topics: Humans; Child, Preschool; Prediabetic State; Glucagon; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners; Proof of Concept Study; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Excipients; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Glucose
PubMed: 37624823
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290261 -
Biotechnology Progress 2023Today, biologic prodrugs have led to targeting specific tumor markers and have increased specificity and selectivity in cancer therapy. Various studies have shown the... (Review)
Review
Today, biologic prodrugs have led to targeting specific tumor markers and have increased specificity and selectivity in cancer therapy. Various studies have shown the role of ncRNAs in cancer pathology and tumorigenesis and have suggested that ncRNAs, especially miRNAs, are valuable molecules in understanding cancer biology and therapeutic processes. Most miRNAs-based research and treatment are limited to chemically synthesized miRNAs. Synthetic alterations in these miRNA mimics may affect their folding, safety profile, and even biological activity. However, despite synthetic miRNA mimics produced by automated systems, various carriers could be used to achieve efficient production of bioengineered miRNAs through economical microbial fermentation. These bioengineered miRNAs as biological prodrugs could provide a new approach for safe therapeutic methods and drug production. In this regard, bioengineered chimeric miRNAs could be selectively processed to mature miRNAs in different types of cancer cells by targeting the desired gene and regulating cancer progression. In this article, we aim to review bioengineered miRNAs and their use in cancer therapy, as well as offering advances in this area, including the use of chimeric tRNA/pre-miRNAs.
Topics: Humans; MicroRNAs; Prodrugs; Neoplasms; RNA, Transfer
PubMed: 37608520
DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3387 -
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Sep 2023Cannabis contains a multitude of phytocannabinoids and terpenes in addition to its main psychoactive constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC). It is believed...
Cannabis contains a multitude of phytocannabinoids and terpenes in addition to its main psychoactive constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC). It is believed that the combination of minor cannabinoids and terpenes with D9-THC may impact the subjective and physiological effects of D9-THC. In this study, select minor cannabinoids (cannabigerol [CBG], cannabidivarin [CBDV], cannabichromene [CBC], tetrahydrocannabivarin [THCV], cannabigerolic acid [CBGa], and cannabidiolic acid [CBDa]) and terpenes (beta-caryophyllene and linalool) were evaluated for their potential to decrease the interoceptive effects of D9-THC using drug discrimination methods. Male and female rats (=16; 50% female) were trained to discriminate D9-THC from vehicle. Following training, D9-THC was administered 45 min pre-session, followed by administration of a minor cannabinoid or terpene (or vehicle) 15 min pre-session. CBG, CBDV, CBC, and THCV were administered at doses of 3-30 mg/kg; CBGa and CBDa were administered at doses of 10-100 mg/kg; beta-caryophyllene and linalool were administered at doses of 10-30 mg/kg. Percentage of D9-THC responding (%) was calculated to assess changes to D9-THCs interoceptive effects. CBG, CBDV, CBC, THCV, CBGa, CBDa, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool had little effect on percent D9-THC responding in either sex. No compounds lowered percent D9-THC responding to 50% or below. THCV, CBC, CBDa, and beta-caryophyllene in combination with D9-THC decreased response rates compared with D9-THC alone. The minor cannabinoids and terpenes examined in the current study did not alter the discriminative stimulus effects of D9-THC. These results suggest that these compounds are unlikely to lower the psychoactive effects of D9-THC in human users.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Animals; Rats; Terpenes; Dronabinol; Excipients
PubMed: 37721992
DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0062 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jul 2023To verify the effect of nebulization on the voice of dysphonic and non-dysphonic individuals on acoustic, perceptual-auditory, aerodynamic, electroglottographic,...
PURPOSE
To verify the effect of nebulization on the voice of dysphonic and non-dysphonic individuals on acoustic, perceptual-auditory, aerodynamic, electroglottographic, laryngeal parameters and on the self-perception of vocal discomfort.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All the research subjects were submitted to vocal evaluation, laryngeal and voice self-perception. Then, the participants remained in vocal rest for a period of 10 minutes and the analysis mentioned above were again performed. After this first stage, the participants were submitted to the nebulization for a period of 10 minutes and the all analysis above were again performed. Descriptive analysis of the variables was carried. In the comparison of the pre- and post-nebulization groups, the Paired T-Student Test was used for variables with non-dysphonic distribution and the Wilcoxon Test for variables with asymmetric distribution. When categorical variables were evaluated (perceptual-auditory evaluation and laryngeal assessment), the Pearson's Chi-square test was used. In all analysis, a significance level of 5% was considered. The intra-rater agreement in the auditory-perceptual and perceptual-visual assessment was assessed using the AC1 statistic, using the R program. For this purpose, 20% of the voice samples and laryngeal images were replicated blindly and interpreted by the evaluators at the time evaluations.
RESULTS
The results of this research show that non-dysphonic individuals have more positive vocal and laryngeal effects after nebulization than dysphonic ones. It is also observed that the EGG measurement was the most sensitive to the effect of nebulization, with an increase in the Closed quotient (CQ) in all groups evaluated. Regarding acoustic measurements, it is noted that the effect of nebulization in men is more evident than in women. After nebulization, there was an increase in fundamental frequency in the group of non-dysphonic women and dysphonic and non-dysphonic men. A decrease in the amplitude perturbation quotient values is observed in all groups, besides a reduction in the pitch perturbation quotient values after nebulization in non-dysphonic men groups. There was improves aerodynamic efficiency in groups of dysphonic and non-dysphonic men and in the self-perception of vocal discomfort in all groups studied after the hydration procedure. The results of this study demonstrate a significant improvement in the mucosal wave after nebulization in the groups of women and men who are not dysphonic.
CONCLUSION
The nebulization procedure with saline solution improves acoustic measurements, the electroglottographic closed quotient and vocal self-perception of dysphonic and non-dysphonic women and men. Nebulization increases the mucosal wave of the vocal folds in non-dysphonic women and men and improves the aerodynamic efficiency of men.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Dysphonia; Saline Solution; Voice Quality; Voice; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 33849762
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.02.024 -
Nutrients Dec 2023The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion's Mane (LM) on cognition. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion's Mane (LM) on cognition. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, we examined the effects of a single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract (AMT: AmaTea Max) vs. 1 g Nordic-grown Lion's Mane (LM) vs. placebo (PL). Participants attended three testing visits consisting of neuropsychological tests (Go/No-go, N-Back, and Serial 7 s tasks) assessing performance, subjective assessments of cognitive perception, and vital signs. Each assessment was measured at baseline (pre-ingestion) and 1 and 2 h post ingestion. AMT significantly ( ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s, total score, number of correct responses, total number of responses, and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time, but it reduced the percentage of correct responses in the No-go stimulus response during Go/No-go. LM significantly ( ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time in Go/No-go. AMT improved mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood, and productivity at 1 and 2 h ( < 0.05); the ability to tolerate stress at 1 h; and had greater ratings than LM and PL for mental clarity, focus, concentration, and productivity. PL improved focus and concentration at 1 h from baseline ( ≤ 0.05). AMT and LM improved subjective ratings of "happiness compared to peers" and "getting the most out of everything" ( < 0.05); however, this occurred earlier in LM (i.e., 1 h post ingestion). AMT uniquely elevated blood pressure from baseline. AMT significantly improved cognitive performance and self-perceived cognitive indices of affect over a 2 h period and perceptions of happiness 2 h post ingestion. In comparison, LM helped improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time 2 h post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a 2 h period.
Topics: Humans; Cognition; Ilex guayusa; Plant Extracts; Tea
PubMed: 38140277
DOI: 10.3390/nu15245018